Business: Law

Security system ‘to tap huge market’

ONE of the region’s technology firms has developed an innovative security management system to help legal practices across the UK meet their online and offline data handling procedures.

RMT Technology is the business systems and IT support arm of Newcastle-based RMT Accountants and Business Advisors, and has joined forces with Oyez Professional Services to launch a new Oyez
Information Security Range.

The system is the first of its kind in the UK, and will provide a comprehensive toolkit to help legal firms, to introduce a compliant information management system.

Designed by RMT in conjunction with the International Association of Accountants Innovation and Technology Consultants and the European Network and Information Security Agency, the system reflects
the escalating focus of the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on the steps that law firms need to take to ensure they meet their regulatory
requirements around handling confidential client information.

RMT will now work with Oyez on introducing the product to the wider market through the rest of the year and on keeping the different elements of the toolkit up to date as the regulatory environment
evolves.

Paul Holborrow, head of RMT Technology, who has led the development of the product range, said: “Client confidentiality and everything that that entails is the touchstone of all law firms’
operations, and as the public become ever more sensitive to how data about them is protected, it’s an issue that can’t be ignored.

“The SRA is placing responsibility for minimising information management risk and ensuring regulatory compliance squarely on such firms’ shoulders, and any failure to live up to these
responsibilities could have serious consequences.”

Law firms across the country are currently being invited by Oyez to participate in the largest survey yet of how the legal profession is complying with the regulation in this area and the early
indicators show there is work to be done to provide individuals and clients with the protection they need.

He added: “We’ve already found that many law firms are looking for assistance to both help them understand these responsibilities and to put the controls and policies in place that they need, and
we’re able to provide clear practical guidance that is founded on a sound, risk-based methodology that addresses these responsibilities.

“The domestic market for this system is potentially huge, and we’ve got plans in place that will enable us to tap this potential through the rest of this year and beyond.”